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Some Nintendo DS Clarifications
I have a couple clarifications and additional thoughts about playing the Nintendo DS to make.
First of all when you are playing a game and most of the action is taking place at the top screen you do not look at the lower screen unless to glance at it. I am sure that there will be games that have you look at it as one big screen but it works pretty well. I have used dual monitor systems as a graphic workstation and the human mind can take care of using two screens for a common task just as easily as referencing two books at the same time.
The lower screen is more than just a display but it is a controller as well. It is entirely capable to use the lower screen as this pseudo analog controller or as a virtual keyboard. Think about how the touchscreen interfaces on Star Trek TNG can change to show a whole variety of context sensitive interface elements. The menu can change as you need it to because it is not a fixed button set but a fluid rapidly changing display.
There is still the SNES style 4 button layout and two button triggers on the top of the unit. In the Metroid Demo you used the D pad to walk around and looked by dragging around the lower touchscreen. Firing was done by the top triggers and it only took me a moment to get used to the controls.
The Nintendo DS is not meant to be a replacement to the Gamecube or the Gameboy Advance. Nintendo is still supposedly working on a replacement for the GBA that is not the Nintendo DS. Also they are working on the replacement to the Gamecube codenamed N-5 Revolution to be shown next summer's E3. Nintendo is going to try to pull off three game systems on the market at the same time and I hope they can pull it off. Sega had some problems with trying to juggle the Genesis, 32X, Sega-CD and the Saturn at the same time.
We have never seen wireless networking this fast and ubiquitous in a game system so far so most games have yet to scratch the surface of the possibilities of interaction with other players wirelessly. The networking is 11 megs a second. That is several time the fastest cable modem. We are talking about low ping wireless 16 multiplayer Pokemon killing here of one cart.
The DS launch titles that I am probably going to get are Super Mario 64 DS, Ridge Racer DS and possibly The Urbz: Sims in the City.
The upcoming games and sequels that I will be quite interested in are
Advance Wars DS
Animal Crossing DS
Bomberman DS
Castlevania DS
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles
Goemon DS
Mario Kart DS
Puzzle Bobble DS
Sonic DS
WarioWare Inc. DS
and
Viewtiful Joe
It is possible to use the touch screen and microphone to have a port of Donkey Konga or other music games to the Nintendo DS. All in all Nintendo is providing the game developers of the world with more capabilities to innovate and come up with uses for all this cool interface and networking features. In time we will see new games that could only be done on the DS and it just can't possibly not be cool.
Jake at November 17, 2004 
Games
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Comments
Wow, they're realising a lot of games for the DS. Anyway, I still don't like the two systems coming out (DS and PSP). But, I tried the two book thing like Jake said and I was fully capaple of reading it. So once again Jake you've changed my mind about it. But I would still be happier with one screen.
Posted by: Mike at November 17, 2004 4:16 AM
Have you looked at Asphalt Urban GT in comparison to Ridge Racer? Its also a launch title, and I think it looks a whole lot better then RR. In AUGT you have nitros that refil by driving close to traffic and into oncoming traffic, crazy moving car carrier jumps, and tons of tuning options to mess around with your car. Theres also a bunch of licensed cars to use.
I now sound like an ad for the game, but it just looks so much better then ridge racer. I haven't played RR before though, so I don't know the catch about that series yet. Oh, and AUGT runs at 60fps as opposed to RR's 30fps so it looks like you're going a whole lot faster. Gamespot has some pretty nice movies if you're interested.
Posted by: Jason F at November 17, 2004 6:18 AM
I went to Gamestop the other day to preorder the DS and they had already sold their entire shipment on preorders, so I'll have to do what Jake talked about doing in your last post, except at my local Best Buy. Here's hoping they don't sell out in the first few hours!
Posted by: Riley at November 17, 2004 3:02 PM
I'm with Jason F on Asphalt Urban GT, the DS Ridge Racer game looks rushed in comparison with the Ridge Racer game on deck for the PSP.
Posted by: InsaneDavid at November 17, 2004 3:42 PM
I'm not convinced: 99% of all games use the 2nd screen for a 2d map.
On the other hand could the touch-screen aspect get interesting...
Posted by: Jim at November 18, 2004 6:38 AM
"Nintendo is still supposedly working on a replacement for the GBA that is not the Nintendo DS." So the plan is basically to launch a product line that competes with another product line? That idea seems fraught with peril. I hope someone at Nintendo reads Rick Chapman's In Search of Stupidity.
Posted by: dunsany at November 19, 2004 11:35 AM
"In the Metroid Demo you used the D pad to walk around and looked by dragging around the lower touchscreen"
I was using a different config at my local Target, I remember using the abxy buttons to do the looking around
Posted by: ray at November 21, 2004 12:48 AM
I GOT MY HANDS ON IT! I got one of the last two at Circuit City, and I've been playing for a couple of hours now! It's AWESOME! I think I will be addicted to Mario 64 DS for a few weeks. :) And First Hunt is awesome too! And about using abxy buttons to move around, that is part of the default control setup. You can use the D pad or the abxy buttons. They do the same thing. I assume this is meant to make it easier for lefties. Anyway, back to my DS!
Posted by: Riley at November 21, 2004 2:20 PM
